Dumb Paterson 24x30 drum question

[RLangham]

So I've recently acquired several daylight tanks of different kinds at truly outrageous bargains.

Firstly a Paterson 24x30 drum with the agitator stand, in original box. That was actually about a year ago. I think I paid twelve bucks.

Also more recently a twelve-sheet 4x5 tank for seven bucks, a one reel, 35mm Simmons Omega, a Nikor brand Omega copy and a two reel Prinz 35mm tank, each for ten. Antique store owners don't know what these are.

So in addition to all these lovely little steel tanks I have four steel reels plus one original Paterson reel remaining from a Paterson tank I was given years ago when I was just starting out.

It would damage the large tank if I just put the four steel reels in there to develop four rolls at once, wouldn't it? Or one steel and the plastic? They don't fit very snug and could both roll and rattle around and possibly spin out of axis (though I don't think this would happen in practice.)

Has anyone here used steel reels in a big drum like this?

 

[mshchem]

So I've recently acquired several daylight tanks of different kinds at truly outrageous bargains.

Firstly a Paterson 24x30 drum with the agitator stand, in original box. That was actually about a year ago. I think I paid twelve bucks.

Also more recently a twelve-sheet 4x5 tank for seven bucks, a one reel, 35mm Simmons Omega, a Nikor brand Omega copy and a two reel Prinz 35mm tank, each for ten. Antique store owners don't know what these are.

So in addition to all these lovely little steel tanks I have four steel reels plus one original Paterson reel remaining from a Paterson tank I was given years ago when I was just starting out.

It would damage the large tank if I just put the four steel reels in there to develop four rolls at once, wouldn't it? Or one steel and the plastic? They don't fit very snug and could both roll and rattle around and possibly spin out of axis (though I don't think this would happen in practice.)

Has anyone here used steel reels in a big drum like this?

That's most likely a Paterson color print drum. These would lay horizontal, had a little crank, others had a water bath. Paterson film tanks require a center tubular column to be light tight. Steel reels will not work, with the exception of a special stainless steel reel made by Hewes, these are not common.

 

[RLangham]

That's most likely a Paterson color print drum. These would lay horizontal, had a little crank, others had a water bath. Paterson film tanks require a center tubular column to be light tight. Steel reels will not work, with the exception of a special stainless steel reel made by Hewes, these are not common.

This one has a light trap quite unlike the central column of my two reel Paterson. Appears to be light tight even with no reels installed

 

[MattKing]

This one has a light trap quite unlike the central column of my two reel Paterson. Appears to be light tight even with no reels installed

mschem was pointing out that the drum you have is for prints, not films.
They were designed to be used horizontally, and with much less liquid in them then the amount you would need for film, because prints would adhere to the walls of the drum, while film on reels needs to have the liquid reach near to the centre of the drum when it is lying on its side.
The print drum would be very slow to fill and empty, if your intent was to try using them vertically. In addition, you probably can't invert them for agitation.
In addition, the liquid flow would be unpredictable in a tank with reels that are too small - uneven development would be a real possibility.
And finally, developing film with steel reels in those tanks would sound awful!!!!

 

[mshchem]

Spell check converted "Hewes" to Here's. And Matt is quite right, the reels would bounce around.

 

[MattKing]

Spell check converted "Hewes" to Here's.

Fixed that for you

 

[RLangham]

Ok, then since I don't really print at sizes larger than 5x7 and this tank isn't useful for film, does anyone want it? Shipping will be a pain but I can package it well. I'd let it go for a reasonable price. DM me?